Walton residents prepare for river flooding after storm

Published: Tuesday, July 9, 2013 at 10:14 AM.

PONCE DE LEON — Officials set out early Monday morning to check on homes situated along Choctawhatchee River after four days of rain caused substantial flooding and damage to the area.

Damage estimates are at more than $1.4 million currently, but are subject to change once the water recedes and officials can survey all the damage, according to Maj. Joe Preston with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

“We’ve gotten around 10 feet of water,” Preston said. “But we’ve got a system set up and we haven’t had to evacuate anyone yet. Most everyone effected is used to the routine of preparing for flooding.”

Preston said the river is supposed to crest at 12 feet early Tuesday morning.

In all, the four-day storm poured down more than 20 inches in some parts of Walton County and weather predictions for the remainder of the week indicate more rain might fall.

“We’re watching the conditions and if we need to we can target folks geographically,” Preston said. “We have a new tropical storm out there that is a cause of concern, we don’t need any more water. But all we can do is watch.”

PONCE DE LEON — Officials set out early Monday morning to check on homes situated along Choctawhatchee River after four days of rain caused substantial flooding and damage to the area.

Damage estimates are at more than $1.4 million currently, but are subject to change once the water recedes and officials can survey all the damage, according to Maj. Joe Preston with the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

“We’ve gotten around 10 feet of water,” Preston said. “But we’ve got a system set up and we haven’t had to evacuate anyone yet. Most everyone effected is used to the routine of preparing for flooding.”

Preston said the river is supposed to crest at 12 feet early Tuesday morning.

In all, the four-day storm poured down more than 20 inches in some parts of Walton County and weather predictions for the remainder of the week indicate more rain might fall.

“We’re watching the conditions and if we need to we can target folks geographically,” Preston said. “We have a new tropical storm out there that is a cause of concern, we don’t need any more water. But all we can do is watch.”

No evacuations had been ordered as of Monday.

Tonya Boyer, of Ponce de Leon, said her home off of Charles Rushing Road often become isolated during severe storms. She said as the rain began early Wednesday morning she made her way to the store to prepare for the worst.

“It’s a matter of being prepared and aware of what’s going on,” said Boyer as she stood beside her freshly grated roadway that was damaged during the rain. “I bought eggs, milk, formula. You have to prepare to be stranded. That’s the way we live.”